Military personnel often ask for advice to transfer their military skills to the business world.
​Here's how veterans can best present their skills in resumes and job interviews.

Proudly Display Your Military Experience

What Does and Doesn't Belong on a Resume?

Don't Embellish Your Military Skills

Employers Appreciate Veterans

Proudly Display Your Military Experience

Employers cannot glean a complete understanding of your work potential if you disguise your past. Given that a typical HR manager won't comprehend the significance of title and rank, veterans should also include an equivalent civilian title. For example, a commanding general can list the equivalent civilian title as chief executive officer.Resume Tip: Don't disguise your rank to "civilianize" your resume – that discounts your military faculties. As a veteran, you can help the civilian sector understand more about the military. And if companies understand, they might feel less intimidated.

What Does and Doesn't Belong on a Resume?

Everyone in the military works in an occupational field. Some of your daily duties are not applicable to the civilian workplace. For example, if you were an infantry or artillery officer, shooting cannons does not apply. But if you're an air traffic controller, there's an actual counterpart civilian job, and you should list the skill set that relates to the position.Resume Tip: Some job seekers will have an easier time adapting their skills to civilian jobs, but for those whose qualifications aren't directly transferable, you'll need to start thinking about how you've used your skills to achieve tangible and measurable results.

Don't Embellish Your Military Skills

Some career coaches encourage veterans to decorate their resumes in “civilianese”. For example, a veteran might claim that managing millions of dollars for the military is similar to someone doing the same in the private sector. Resume Tip: Acknowledge skills like the ability to organize, analyze or lead. Emphasize time management, communication skills and conflict-resolution capabilities. Match your skills with those required in the job you're applying for.

Employers Appreciate Veterans

Show your leadership, stamina and willingness to go the extra mile. Teamwork is often encouraged in the workplace and can be an easily translatable job skill.Interview Tip: Describe a military operation where you pushed yourself to do more than was required and show how that project was successfully completed due to your efforts or the combined efforts of your team.